About Charter Schools

Charter schools extend the privilege of choice to all families. They provide options for parents and students in pursuing their ideal educational experience. Charter schools are open to all children, free of charge, who are eligible to attend traditional public schools in the state of Michigan. Charter schools are governed by a local Board of Directors and are required to meet, and often exceed, the standards of its Authorizer and the State Board of Education.

Charter schools are governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Academy’s Authorizer. Bylaws of the Board of Directors outline its role and responsibilities. Some charter schools employ an education service provider/management company to provide executive leadership and management services. Other charter schools choose to go in alone with the Board and Academy Director.

Children attending charter schools benefit from small class sizes, high academic standards and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Charter schools are organized by a founding group that is passionate about the basic tenets of the curriculum. Enthusiasm for the school is contagious. Board members, staff members, parents, students and community members are attracted to the charter school because their interests coincide with the charter school’s educational program and special themes.

Charter schools have to be responsive to parents’ concerns because they operate in a free market. Parents literally make the choice to send their children to the magnet or theme school. Parents also typically transport their children to school, which means parents have a stronger connection and more actively communicate with the faculty and staff.

Authorizer

Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) is the authorizer for Bradford Academy. As the authorizer, BMCC provides oversight of the charter contract and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations. BMCC appoints the Board of Directors and provides training sessions for the Board.
The Charter Office of Bay Mills Community College supports the educational choices and opportunities for all children in the State of Michigan, regardless of their race, national heritage, culture and/or economic status. As such, BMCC ensures academic goals are being met.

Bay Mills Community College is located on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s historic Eastern Upper Peninsula. It is the only accredited tribal college east of the Mississippi River. Diverse ages, backgrounds and individual goals make the student population of BMCC unique. BMCC’s faculty is committed to providing excellence in education to both traditional and non-traditional students.

For more information about Bay Mills Community College please visit its web site at www.bmcc.org.

Academy Board

Bradford Academy Board of Directors stands firm for safe, secure schools and makes the tough decisions to ensure every child receives a first class education free of disruption, threat and fear. The Board is focused on student achievement, parent satisfaction and a safe, secure location for learning.

Bradford Academy operates under the public school academy governance structure in which the Academy is authorized. Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) appoints Bradford Academy Board of Directors. Members are required to be bona fide citizens of Michigan, undergo a criminal records check and comply with conflict of interest guidelines established by law and BMCC.

Our Education Service Provider Partnership

Bradford Academy excels, in great part, because of its managing partner, Choice Schools Associates. Choice is a family-owned, Michigan based education service provider with a team that is passionate about your child receiving the best education they possibly can.

For over two decades Choice Schools Associates has carried out its mission to partner with school communities, empowering and equipping them to fulfill their unique mission. Choice provides Michigan charter schools with exceptional assistance in all aspects of school management while striving to meet three fundamental and unchanging standards: significantly improve students’ academic achievement; delight parents and ensure high levels of satisfaction; and create a safe, secure learning environment.

Choice customizes its services to meet the unique needs of each academy and works diligently to ensure that the Academy Board’s vision is carried out. The strength of Choice is its exceptional people who provide services to children, parents and families at every school it manages. This recognition, coupled with its emphasis on achievement of Academy Board goals and Choice’s standards, makes Choice a truly unique education service provider.

Choice’s Mission:

We partner with school communities, empowering and equipping them to fulfill their unique mission.

About Bradford Academy

Bradford Academy is a tuition-free preschool through 12th grade public school, located in Southfield, MI. The school strives to instill the qualities of character, excellence, creativity and service into our students as they become prepared, global leaders.